Introducing New Staff Members in My Memphis and Washington Offices
Dear Friend,
This week, I would like to introduce a new staff member in my Memphis Office from the Wounded Warrior Project who will be assisting constituents with veterans' issues and a new staff member in my Washington, DC office who will be working on veterans' affairs and foreign affairs legislative policy. Keep reading to learn more about my new staff members and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Introducing New Staff Members in My Memphis and Washington Offices
Welcoming the New Interim Director of the Memphis VA Medical Center
Receiving a Perfect Score on the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
Sign Up for My New Grants E-Newsletter
Quote for the Week
Weekly Health Tip
Introducing New Staff Members in My Memphis and Washington Offices
Captain Shane Simpson, the new veterans' affairs staff member in my Memphis office
I would like to introduce you to Captain Shane Simpson in my office in Memphis and Betsy Dudley in my office in Washington. Shane comes to us from the Wounded Warrior Project. Shane is a University of Memphis graduate and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1997-2006, reaching the rank of Staff Sargent. As a Marine, he served in Egypt, Jordan and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He also served in the United States Air Force from 2007-2011 as a Logistics Officer, reaching the rank of Captain. Shane is one of four staff members in my Memphis Office assisting constituents with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Memphis VA Medical Center.
Betsy Dudley, the new veterans' affairs and foreign policy staff member in my Washington, DC office
Betsy Dudley will be working on veterans' affairs, foreign affairs, defense, international trade and homeland security legislative policy in my Washington, DC office. Betsy comes to us from recently retired Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) where she helped manage her policy work on foreign affairs and defense issues. Betsy holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University. I am pleased to have both Shane and Betsy working for the Ninth Congressional District in Memphis and Washington.
Welcoming the New Interim Director of the Memphis VA Medical Center
The Memphis VA Medical Center recently hired James Belmont to serve as interim director. Mr. Belmont comes with decades of experience working at VA medical centers in Maine, North Carolina, Arizona and Kentucky. I would like to welcome Mr. Belmont to Memphis. My staff and I look forward to working with him to best serve Memphis-area veterans.
Receiving a Perfect Score on the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard
On Thursday, I was proud to receive a perfect score on the 2016 League of Conservation Voters Legislative Scorecard for my record on the environment. In a time when we have an EPA Administrator who is a climate change skeptic and a President who has advocated for abolishing the EPA, it is more important now than ever to protect our environment for future generations. Read more here.
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
Today, my Memphis office held its regular "Congress on your Corner" office hours at the Whitehaven Branch Library. My staff answered questions about and provided assistance with federal agencies and benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, FHA, and the VA. Please visit my website for updates on future Congress on your Corner events.
Sign Up for My New Grants E-Newsletter
Each year billions of dollars are distributed in federal grant and loan money to institutions and organizations throughout the country. The 9th District's universities, colleges, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and local governments are well-qualified to compete for these funds. If you are interested in receiving up-to-date federal grant information, including a list of the most recent grant awards and opportunities, please click here to sign up for my Grants E-Newsletter. I also encourage you to explore the resources on my website to help you and your organization search and apply for grants.
This week, I would like to share an excerpt from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Letters and Papers from Prison entitled "On Stupidity." Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi dissident who was arrested by the Nazis and later murdered after being associated with the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
Each week, I will be suggesting a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the Ninth Congressional District. As always, it's best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
As we approach spring, we also approach allergy season. According to the Centers for Disease Control, allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to substances that generally do not affect other individuals. These substances, or allergens, can cause sneezing, coughing, and itching. Allergic reactions range from merely bothersome to life-threatening. Read more about allergies here.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress